Straw-carrier and grain-separator.



H. HOEPKER.

STRAW CARRIER AND GRAIN SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. x. 1915.

1 993 9? Patented Dec. 26, 1916.

HENRY HoErKnn, or ADDIEVIIJLE, ILLInoIs.

S'IRAW-GARBIER AND GRAIN-SEPARATOB.

mower.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1916.

'7 Application filed March 1,1915. Serial No. 11,427.

To all whom it may concern:

and grain separators, and may be more particularly associated with devices of a similar character for use in connection with threshing machines.

The conveyers orstraw elevators now in general use in devices of this character are composed usually of a series of flights, each flight mounted for reciprocation, and. driven by a crank shaft. Connecting rods are provided to connect the several cranks upon the crank shaft with the various flights in order to transmit to the" latter the necessary shaking or reciprocating movement. To the employment of a crank shaft in connection with machines ofthis nature there are several disadvantages; one being that the greatest amount of power cannot be obtained, and another very great objection being that the cranks upon the shaft in their rotation collect and become so entangled with straw which drops from the conveyer flights as to render it necessary to often stop the machine to disentangle the straw thus collected to prevent the machine from becoming damaged or disabled.

It is the primary object of my invention to overcome the above mentioned objections.

A further object of the invention is to arrange the straw conveyors and grain shakers employed 1n devices of this nature in such. a manner as to provide a most eflicient machine, and which, while attaining the highest eificiency in operation, may be constructed in a very compact manner with very few simple, inexpensive and readily assembled parts; the device as a whole attaining the general object of economy in time, labor and expense.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description I proceeds, the invention resides in the novel combination and arrangement of parts all as will be described more fully hereinafter, and pointed out more particularly'in the claims.

The invention will be more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation, parts being in section, of astraw carrier and grain separator constructed in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1, parts being broken away to disclose the underlying structure.

In carrying out the invention, a pair of the usual inclined flights 3 and 1 respectively are employed, the same constituting the straw carrier in general. Each of the flights comprises a frame work 5, upon which are secured the transverse slats 6, and the ribs 7 for supporting and conveying the straw during the grain separating process.

For the purpose of imparting to the flights the necessary reciprocatory motion, and also for assisting in supporting the said flights, a power shaft 8 is provided. The power shaft is so positioned with relation to the conveyer flights that the same and the lowermost ends of the inclined flights 3 and a are in substantially the same horizontal plane. The power shaft 8 is provided with eccentrics 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Connecting rods 15 and 16 are connected at one end to the eccentrics 10 and 13 respectively, and

extend forwardly from the shaft 8 beneath the conveyer flight 3 tosupport the same. Thesaid connecting rods are supported adjacent their opposite ends for rocking movement by rods 17, the latter being connected at one end to the connecting rods 15 and 16 through the medium of a transverse supporting rod 18, and at their opposite ends to a suitable brace or support 19. Spacing members 20 may be employed adjacent the inner end of the connecting rods 15 and 16 to support the adjacent end of the conveyer flight 8 thereabove. Connecting rods 21 and 22 are connected at one end to eccentrics 9 and 14 respectively, and extend outwardly therefrom to be supported at their opposite ends for rocking movement by means of the transverse rod 23, and the supporting connecting rods 24:; the latter being connected at their upper ends to the brace or support 19 similar to the manner in which the conveyer 3 is supported.

It is to be observed that the uppermost end of the conveyer flight 3 extends beyond and overlies the lowermost end of the con veyer 4%, as well as the power or eccentric shaft 8, and by this arrangement it is to be observed that straw in its movement up con.- veyer 3 will be dropped over the upper end thereof upon the conveyer 4, and it is also apparent that the straw will have the least possible chance of coming in contact with the shaft or the eccentrics thereon. It will be seen that the eccentrics 10 and 13 are disposed upon the shaft 8 at the same angle to insure a steady, uniform reciprocating or oscillating movement to the conveyer flight 3, and the same is true with regard to the eccentrics 9 and 14 to which the supporting connecting rods of the conveyor 4 are connected. It is also to be observed that the eccentrics governing the movements of the conveyers 3 and 4 respectively, are disposed at angles opposite each other.

Extending outwardly from each of the eccentrics 11 and 12 are connecting rods 25 and 26, cross rods 27 and 28 being connected to the opposite ends of each of said connecting rods 25 and 26 to be supported for rocking movement from the brace or support 19 by depending arms or connecting rods 29 and 30. To each of the oppositely extending connecting rods 25, 26 is connected a grain pan 31 and 32. The grain pans may be supported a suitable distance below the arms or connecting rods 25, 26 by connecting members 33. From the plan view shown in the drawings it will be observed that the straw in its course over the separator will be shaken to be relieved of the grain carried thereby, the latter dropping between the slats in the conveyer to be collected by the grain pans 31 and 32, and from which the grain may be delivered or collected in any desired manner.

It will be apparent that by the arrangement set forth a compact and simple machine is provided, and yet While, being constructed with the objects of simplicity and compactness in view, the decided advantages of cheapness of manufacture, readiness of operation, and highest efliciency have not been sacrificed.

I claim: a

1. In a grain separating machine, a straw carrier, said straw carrier comprising a pair of inclined flights, the uppermost end of one of said flights overlying and extending beyond the lowermost end of the other flight, a power shaft mounted for rotation beneath said overlying end and in the same horizontalplane with'the lowermost ends of said flights, eccentrics on said shaft, connecting rods connected at one end w1thsa1d eccentries and extending beneath and supporting saidflights, and the opposite end of said connecting rods mounted for rocking movement, substantlally as described.

l 2. The combination with a grain separator comprising a plurality of shakers; of a pair of grain pans mounted one beneath each of said shakers with the end of one overlying the adjacent end of the other, a power shaft,

withsaid flights, a grain pan mounted for reciprocation beneath each of said flights and said shaft with their adjacent endsoverlapping, and means connecting said pans and certain other of said eccentrics, substantially as described. w

In testimony whereof I have signed my name tothis specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY HOEPKER. "Witnesses: Y

O. G. MAXWELL, J. ALWATTS.

' Copies of this patent maybe obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. w I U 

